The Delight Retreat Experience

As the October Delight retreat draws closer, we’re excited to share more about the retreat experience. Enjoy what Lacey has to say about her experience at the retreat below!

Many weeks before I knew that I was coming to the Delight retreat, I experienced lots of different issues within my family. It’s been almost 10 years full of divorce battles, pain, brokenness, and fear. I almost feel like I was being controlled by my own family, which isn’t fun so I don’t recommend it to anyone. One of my biggest pains was the words that my family said to me. I knew I couldn’t hold onto it anymore. I just couldn’t do it on my own. I needed God, and I experienced just what I needed on the retreat.
About a month before the retreat, I FaceTimed one of the big sisters, Brandy Dawson. I started telling her of all the fears that had been bubbling in my heart for quite a while. Specifically, fears of death and losing my friends and family. Then, I read Proverbs 14. I was shocked by how much sin I was dealing with. In tears, I started to let go of this weight that I had been holding on to for so long. At this point, I knew the upcoming retreat was all about freedom, an area that I was really struggling with, and I couldn’t wait to see God show up.

On the day of the retreat, I prepared myself for the 9 hour drive ahead of me. Soon enough, I was at a rest stop and decided to scroll through Pinterest when I saw a picture of John 10:10. Little did I know, the verse would come up time after time at the retreat! I decided to make this my Bible verse of the week.

I finally arrived at the lodge and as soon as I walked in, it felt like the false feelings of being unloved or hated left me. Right away, my heart was warmed. My fears of meeting everyone for the first time after only knowing them through social media vanished and the love of Christ replaced the void. The encouragement and support combined with the worship washed my anxiety away. On the second night, we talked about sin and I even opened up about the issues I had experienced with my family.

On the last morning, we had a board that showcased our sins and what we idolize. I finally decided to lay everything, my fears and my tears, at Jesus’ feet. After dinner that day, we put our sins on balloons and let them go, up to the God that loves us enough to forgive them.

Seriously you guys, this retreat was full of pure joy and I cannot wait for the next one.

Lacey is a 20-year-old living in Great Falls, Montana. She owns Lacey Key Photography & Design and loves to take photos of people and have fun with it too. Follow Lacey on Instagram, or connect with her in our Facebook community! (Find out more about our Facebook groups here!)